NASCAR pays tribute to Dan Wheldon

As the public prepares to say goodbye today in Indianapolis to two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who was laid to rest yesterday in his adopted hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, the NASCAR community is also honoring the fallen IndyCar driver.

Each car in today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway are carrying a decal commemorating Wheldon, with some drivers also wearing the decal on their helmets. In addition, Brad Keselowski’s No. 2 Penske Racing Dodge will carry the message “In Memory of Dan” on its back bumper.

But perhaps the deepest sign of respect from the NASCAR world came during today’s pre-race coverage on ESPN as host Nicole Briscoe — wife of IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe — led an emotional tribute to the man that will be forever known as “Lionheart.”

Thanks to YouTube’s “MT89MotorsportsMedia” for the capture of this very moving moment.

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